The Shopping List for Each NHL GM as the Trade Deadline Approaches

The Shopping List for Each NHL GM as the Trade Deadline Approaches

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The shopping list for each NHL general manager has changed drastically now that both Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf are locked up for the next eight years, but there are still some players who will be up for grabs at the deadline.

Both conferences have teams that are in or out of the hunt by a mere few points, and for that reason it should be an interesting deadline.

As each team hopes to make the playoffs, here are the shopping lists for each NHL GM as the deadline approaches.

Anaheim Ducks: A Penalty Killer

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The Anaheim Ducks have an established top-six, a solid defense and they have quality goaltending but an area they should look for help in at the deadline is the penalty kill.

The team has one of the worst PK units in the league, and bolstering that area would give the Ducks an extra element of toughness when it comes to trying to beat them.

Boston Bruins: Top-Six Forward for the Power Play

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The Boston Bruins' power play is in the bottom half of the league, and they are sure to address to this area at the deadline.

They could also look to add a top-six forward given the recent injuries the team has suffered to forwards David Krejci and Chris Kelly, and rumors indicate that Boston could pursue Jarome Iginla, via Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

Buffalo Sabres: Defense

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The Buffalo Sabres will probably be sellers at the deadline, but they are a team that really needs to build their defense.

They have some talented offensive forwards, but solidifying their defense should be a priority at the deadline.

The Sabres are headed towards a rebuild, and building the team around the blue line would be the best option to take given the current makeup of their team.

Calgary Flames: A "Rebuild" Package

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The Calgary Flames are likely to deal Jarome Iginla with talks over an extension still not taking place, Iginla's agent told Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun. The shopping list for Jay Feaster likely includes a sizable rebuild package for his franchise forward.

It will be tough for Feaster to deal his franchise forward, but it would be in the team's best interest to start the rebuild now.

Getting a top-six forward, a top-four defenseman and a prospect would be a nice package to pry Iginla from the Flames.

Carolina Hurricanes: Power Play Help

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The Carolina Hurricanes have been on a losing skid as of late, and they have quickly fallen out of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

A floundering power play can be cited as a reason for this struggle, and adding someone to rejuvenate the man-advantage is something that has to be atop Jim Rutherford's list.

A puck-moving defender could be a potential target because that is something the Hurricanes do not have.

Chicago Blackhawks: Faceoff Help

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The Chicago Blackhawks have a great roster of talent as the league's current top team, but there is one area of their game that they could stand to improve upon.

The Blackhawks have one of the worst team faceoff win rates in the league, and although Jonathan Toews is one of the league's best faceoff men they could stand to improve as a team overall.

Colorado Avalanche: Help on Defense

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The Colorado Avalanche have a nice group of forwards on their roster that have provided some decent offensive numbers, but their blue line could use some major improvements.

Erik Johnson is no longer on injured reserve, but the Avs need some players in addition to Johnson that can solidify the blue line.

The Avs have Tyson Barrie in the minors, but adding an established blueliner would be the right move to make right now.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Top Six Forwards

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The Columbus Blue Jackets lost their best forward when they dealt Rick Nash this past summer, and they could stand to add some top-six forwards to their lineup.

With Sergei Bobrovsky starting to look like the real deal in net, the Blue Jackets should consider improving the talent in front of him so they can start to grow and improve as a franchise.

The Blue Jackets have been on a hot streak as of late, and can you imagine how good they would be if they added some top-six talent?

Dallas Stars: Defenseman and Faceoff Help

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The Dallas Stars have an interesting roster that is in transition as they try and balance the integration of youngsters with the current veterans on the roster.

The team traded Michael Ryder for Erik Cole, Brendan Morrow could move at the deadline and players like Radek Faksa could join the team next year.

The Stars' biggest flaw is faceoffs as a team, and they also could stand to upgrade their blue line.

Detroit Red Wings: Defense

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Defense is an area that Ken Holland has wanted to improve since the loss of Brad Stuart and the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom, and it should be the top target on his shopping list at the trade deadline.

The team is currently playing well, and adding some depth to the blue line would really benefit Detroit as they make the playoff push.

Edmonton Oilers: Goaltending

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The Edmonton Oilers have a nice balance of young talent on offense and defense, but they have not been able to maintain consistent success this year.

Although Devan Dubnyk has not been terrible, he isn't the goaltender that will allow Edmonton to transition into a consistent playoff team.

Given the talent on the roster, can you imagine how good Edmonton would be if they had a star netminder?

Florida Panthers: Everything

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The Florida Panthers have been so decimated by injuries this season that they could use a little bit of everything at the deadline.

The problem they will likely run into is that they have very few pieces they are willing to trade to make the improvements that are necessary.

Prospects like Nick Bjugstad would carry a lot of value, but he is going to be a big part of the team's future.

Los Angeles Kings: Finding a Suitor for Jonathan Bernier

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Given the Los Angeles Kings' current roster of players, the top priority for Dean Lombardi is probably finding a potential suitor for Jonathan Bernier.

Bernier is the team's backup goaltender but he could be a starter somewhere else in the league. The return for Bernier won't be as high as it may have been a few years ago, but it is something that will benefit the Kings.

Minnesota Wild: Upgrading the Top 6

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The Minnesota Wild are really playing well right now and it would make sense for the team to make a big playoff push by improving their roster.

The Wild's top-six could use some improvements, and it could be wise if the team could shed the salary of someone like Dany Heatley in the process.

Montreal Canadiens: Faceoff Help

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The Montreal Canadiens have played some tremendous hockey thus far, and they are likely going to finish with a favorable playoff spot when the season is over.

The Habs have had solid contributions on offense and defense, but they could stand to improve in an area like faceoffs.

Adding this element could also lead to some improvements in special teams as well.

Nashville Predators: Defense and Top-6 Forward

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The loss of Ryan Suter has really hurt the Nashville Predators thus far in 2013. Although their defense has not been terrible, it has been a lot worse off with the departure of Suter.

At the deadline David Poile should look to add a blueliner, and a top-six forward because the Predators lack a natural goal scorer.

New Jersey Devils: Goal Scoring

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The New Jersey Devils have been up and down throughout the 2013 season, and their biggest weakness right now is goal scoring.

However, the Devils really need some help scoring goals as they only average 2.40 goals-per-game which puts them 25th in the NHL.

This is something that needs to improve soon or the Devils could find themselves out of a playoff spot soon.

With Patrik Elias and David Clarkson slated to become UFAs, the team should add some offense because there is a chance they could lose them in free agency.

New York Islanders: Defense

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The New York Islanders have a young and talented forward group, but their defense is very porous at times.

The Isles give up over three goals-per-game on average, and if they could add a shutdown defender or two they would be able to drive this number down, and win more games as a byproduct.

It doesn't help that their top defenseman Mark Streit is set to become a free agent, so the Islanders really need to add a defenseman or two.

New York Rangers: Defense

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Despite their struggles early on, the New York Rangers have the offensive power to succeed but they could use some help on defense.

With Marc Staal still sidelined the Rangers are forced to use Matt Gilroy, Roman Hamrlik, Steve Eminger and Stu Bickel in a top-four spot.

These defenders at their best are a No. 6 or No. 7 defender, and the team has been exposed at times with them on the ice.

Ottawa Senators: A Top-6 Forward

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The Ottawa Senators have played well despite their injuries, but at the deadline you would think that Bryan Murray would add a top-six forward with news that Milan Michalek will be sidelined indefinitely after undergoing knee-surgery.

The Senators' continued injuries could catch up with them sooner rather than later, and preparing for the playoffs by adding extra firepower would be a wise move.

Philadelphia Flyers: Defense

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The Philadelphia Flyers likely won't be active at the deadline given their current spot in the standings, but Paul Holmgren should be looking to add some quality defenders.

The team never replaced the role left by Chris Pronger, and with their top defender Kimmo Timonen not getting any younger the Flyers need to address this dire need sooner rather than later.

Phoenix Coyotes: Top-6 Forward

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Adding a top-six forward is something that the Phoenix Coyotes should have at the top of their list as the deadline approaches.

Ray Whitney was the team's top forward last year, but he signed with Dallas during free agency, and it is an area they should strengthen.

The Coyotes have a great blue line locked in for the future, but their forward group could use some added firepower.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Another Top-6 Forward

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have one of the league's top forward groups, but rumors indicate that they are trying to add even more to their roster.

With Jarome Iginla an upcoming free agent the Penguins are rumored to be in hot pursuit of the veteran power forward according to the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch.

San Jose Sharks: Youth

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The San Jose Sharks have a bevy of older forwards like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Martin Havlat among others on their roster, and getting younger is an area that Doug Wilson will target at the deadline.

There are already rumors, courtesy of TSN.com's Darren Dreger, about the Sharks potentially moving Dan Boyle, a veteran defender who has one year left on his contract.

St.Louis Blues: Faceoff Help

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The St. Louis Blues are another team that has a balance of offensive and defensive players in their lineup, but they lack in the specialist areas of the game.

For the Blues their area of weakness is faceoffs and addressing this is something that will allow them to improve on special teams as well.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Defense

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The Tampa Bay Lightning have a budding young defender in Victor Hedman, but outside of him and Matt Carle they don't have many quality defenders on the blue line.

The Lightning can score goals, but they need to add some players that will help them keep the puck out of the net.

With the caliber of talent on the Lightning's roster there is no excuse for them not to be a playoff team.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Defense

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The Toronto Maple Leafs recalled Jake Gardiner from the Toronto Marlies, but the team could still stand to add some more defense to bolster their lineup.

With the way the offense has contributed this year the Leafs likely won't seek a top-six forward, but adding a top-four defenseman would be a good addition for Dave Nonis.

Toronto is seeking to make the playoffs for the first time since the last lockout, and adding a defenseman would increase their chances.

Vancouver Canucks: Second-Line Center

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With Ryan Kesler out for the foreseeable future the Vancouver Canucks have a visible hole in their top six.

The team could stand to improve their forward group, and the No. 2 center role is a big weakness.

The Canucks have some strength on their blue line and the tandem in net, but they could be a more effective team if they had some punch on their second line.

Washington Capitals: Little Bit of Everything

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The Washington Capitals have struggled during the season with both success and failures in all areas of their game.

The Caps are unlikely to make the playoffs this year so it would be wise for George McPhee to weigh his options when it comes to improving his roster.

With Mike Ribeiro the current top UFA to be in July he has considerable value, and selling him at his highest value could be in the team's best interest.

Winnipeg Jets: Puck-Moving Defenseman

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The Winnipeg Jets are still without Tobias Enstrom and there is no timetable for his return to the lineup.

Adding a puck-moving defenseman who can inject some offense would have to be at the top of the Kevin Cheveldayoff's shopping list as the deadline approaches.

Their forwards have played well and defense has been pretty stable, but offense from the blue line would make the Jets a tougher team to play against.